Ferrets

Named after the Latin word for thief, furonem, Ferrets are among the most popular of household pets today. Like cats, they can be both curious and friendly, and with some effort can be trained. They’re very social animals and prefer to be in groups. read more..

The first tip anyone new to ferret breeding should hear is “Don’t”. It sounds rude, but breeding ferrets is much more difficult than breeding dogs. At first blush one might think the ferrets are doing all the ‘work’. But throughout the process, the breeder will be involved in some way. It’s a lot of effort and certainly not worth it for any money you might make by selling the kits (baby ferrets). read more..

Training puppies requires patience, proper technique and tons of time. Ferrets are harder. They’re not unintelligent, but they’re less eager to please and not as socialized as dogs. Though domestic, they’re simply a different kind of animal. But they can be trained. They may not do tricks (though some do), but they can be litter trained, taught not to bite and perform other activities. read more..

Ferrets are sometimes mistakenly put into the rodent family. But ferrets are mustelids – a member of the weasel family and cousins of otters, minks, badgers and others. The reason the difference is important to know is diet. Rodents eat vegetable and plant matter. Rabbits will happily munch on grass and certain flowers. But ferrets are meat eaters! read more..

For the sake of your ferret’s safety and your sanity, it pays many times over to take a careful look at your home. Ferrets are active and highly exploratory animals. They’re also extremely slender and agile. They can get into the most unlikely places. Examining your residence inside and out for all the ways a ferret can get into trouble will save both you and it a lot of grief. read more..

Like puppies and kittens, kits (baby ferrets) are very mouthy. They employ their teeth to nip and explore. But because they’re so small and sharp, that can be a painful experience. Fortunately, with patience, most ferrets can be trained not to injure a person or another ferret. read more..

Quite a few folks find themselves too busy to devote a lot of attention to their pet ferret. Yet, the ferret likes interaction. Apart from non-neutered males, they will often seek the company of others and want to play and explore. To solve that problem, many will get another ferret. But ferrets, like most mammals, are territorial and may be wary of strangers. What to do? read more..

Like any aging mammal, ferrets get tumors, cancers and the like. When they reach around age four or later, the odds increase. The average ferret lifespan is between 6-8 years. One of the more common styles is a form called insulinomas. These are tumors from insulin producing cells in the pancreas. In addition to the tumors themselves, they produce excess insulin leading to a type of diabetes. read more..

How it is even possible to be a veterinarian is something of a mystery. Being a physician that treats humans is tough enough. They spend years learning anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and a dozen other major subjects. Yet medical doctors have only one species to study. Vets are expected to know a half-dozen or more. read more..

When thinking about ferrets and the law, few will need to consider what trouble their ferret got into. Though there has been a lawsuit or two related to bites and yard or toy damage. However when considering the choice to invite one of these fascinating creatures into your residence, there are still several things worth knowing. read more..